I’ll be bringing you my emotional eating experiment update on Friday, however in the meantime, here’s something for you to consider while you’re making your way down the scale:
You may have already run into this “problem”, or you are about to – finding clothes that fit while you’re losing weight. While this might not sound like much of a problem if you haven’t experienced it yet (you’re losing weight after all, so what’s so bad about that?!), you will find that you do need to have some clothes to fit your diminishing frame.
Depending on how much weight you need to lose to get to a fit and healthy weight for your body, you may go through several different sizes on the way down. Since clothes can often be a bit expensive, and you might just be tempted to hang onto your larger clothes until you reach your goal weight to avoid spending lots of money. You know what though? You don’t need to wait to look good – there are some simple and inexpensive ways that you can get some new clothes before you reach your goal weight! Here’s a couple of ideas I came up with:
Organize a weight loss swap group
Let’s say that you have a group of friends who are all on the healthy weight loss track. Ideally, you are each starting out at different sizes – let’s say that you’ve got a mix of a 22, 16, and 14. Really, the size 22 is going to make out the best, but I’m sure that there are many variations of sizes and fits that this could work with. All you’re going to do is swap clothes with your weight loss friends. Sounds simple, right? Not only is it simple, but you’ll save loads of money along the weigh (ha ha!).
While you’re losing weight, you can pass on your larger clothes to someone who’s in a bigger size and you can swap with a friend who is shedding a larger (for them) size, but a size that is smaller for you.
Get thee to a thrift store
Who says that thrift stores are only for college students? Find a thrift store in a great area of town and head on over there to see what you can find. If you can find a couple pairs of pants and a shirt or two that fit your now smaller size, then you can always bring those back and donate them after you get to your next size – and look for something else to wear, too! Why not be thrifty with clothes that you won’t end up wearing when you get to your goal weight, and at the same time get a great bargain?
These tips will be especially helpful for those who have 100 or more pounds to lose. While it’s great to be able to show your friends how much weight you’ve lost by stretching out your old clothes, I’ve found it’s more motivating to wear clothes that fit. If you stay in the baggy, old clothes, it can be very tempting to relax your eating habits.
This brings my to my final suggestions – look for clothes that you truly like instead of only looking at the bargain or deal, and get rid of your old clothes once they’re too big.
Instead of hanging onto your baggy clothes, lovingly release them to a friend or a thrift store. I’ve been tempted one too many times to “get back into” my old, bigger clothes, and it’s too easy to allow yourself to do that, at least that’s been my experience.
Do you have more suggestions on finding great deals on clothing while you’re losing weight? If so, then please share in a comment!
I love the swap idea.
we’ve done that and opened it up to accessories (purses etc) and wine 🙂 and it was a great time.
M.
Hi M,
That’s a good idea to include purses, maybe even jewelry, shoes, etc….anything that works and especially when it makes your weight loss journey fun! 🙂
Since I’ve lost weight, I find that I still like my bigger clothing, its just too big, so I have a good seamstress that will alter my clothing as my size drops. Its an inexpensive way to look and feel better. When I get to my goal weight, I will then go and buy new clothing.
Hi Susan,
That’s a very good idea, to just get your now larger clothes resized (and much less expensive than buying new ones!). I bet that a lot of people don’t think of that, thanks for the suggestion! 🙂